Medicinal Plant Virtual Tour - COMMON FIG

Ficus carica        |        Moraceae       |       common fig

Medicinal Properties:

The parts of the plant that are used are fruits in different stages of ripening (fresh or dry), tree bark, leaves, twigs, young shoots, and the latex. The ash of this tree as well as a lye made from the branches and wood have traditionally been used. A wine made from the fruit has been used for treatment of tumors of the trachea and lung. In Ayruvedic medicine the fig is used for external treaments of eczema, leprosy, rheumatism, sores, ulcers, and pains. Fig decoctions are gargled for sore throats and fig fruits are eaten for treatment of diarrhea. The latex is used to remove warts and the fruit is used as a laxative. These effects were listed by Pliny in ancient Greece. Soranus, a physician of ancient Greece, also lists a suppository of dried figs among his contraceptives. The sap has been used as an anti-helminthic. The fruit extract contains an anticancer compound effective against Ehrlich sarcoma.

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Additional Resources to Explore:

• Link to the Campus Arboretum Species Description page
• Link to the Campus Arboretum Medicinal Plants page (for booklet, self-guided campus tours, or docent led tour information)